Technology

When conventional x-rays were introduced in the early 20^th century, they were a game-changer. Dentists were finally able to examine what is happening inside the jaw and teeth and diagnose potential dental conditions.

Modern x-ray technology has improved the procedure in every way, especially with the advent of digital dental x-rays. This imaging technique eliminates film and sends your x-ray image directly to a networked computer, which can be immediately viewed, adjusted, and stored.

In addition to quick results, modern digital dental x-rays are better in the following ways:

• Safety – Digital x-rays require far less radiation than traditional x-rays, and being filmless means no dangerous chemicals or disposal
• Accuracy – Digital x-rays produce better image resolution than the conventional x-ray system
• Convenience – Digital x-rays are stored electronically, so you can make unlimited copies and send them to your health and dental care teams via email

Our office uses Cone Beam Computed Tomography software, which obtains a wide-angle x-ray that assembles the images into a 3-D facial anatomy reconstruction. This holistic view includes your teeth, jaw, and other oral structures and the relationships between them. This technology offers enhanced diagnostic capability for pathology, accurate and safe dental implant planning and placement, and even offers a 3-D view of the internal root canal anatomy.

Using a scanning unit that moves all the way around your head, this tool uses a conical-shaped x-ray beam that widens as it transmits to capture a complete cross-section of your face. As a result, this tool puts together a more precise mapping of your mouth and face with less radiation exposure.

CBCT Technology Uses at Our O’Fallon Dental Office

The Innovation Dental Group team uses cone-beam technology for better diagnosis and treatment in the following instances:

• Any deviations in your mouth’s bony structures
• Provides ideal implant orientation
• Confirms your need for a bone graft or sinus lift
• Determines the length and scale of your potential implant
• Instantly sends images to dental planning software

We often pair CBCT scans with other imaging technologies to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

CEREC is an advanced dental restorative system that we use to restore decayed teeth, eliminate defective fillings or conceal tooth damage in just one appointment. This process uses several tools in concert to plan, design, and create high-quality ceramic dental restorations.

Step 1 – The CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit is mobile and houses a medical-grade computer and the CEREC camera. First, Dr. Schillinger's team takes a digital image of your prepared tooth. This means no impression tray and unpleasant material for you to tolerate in your mouth. Instead, our 3D software converts the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your prepped tooth. We then design your restoration on screen using the software while you wait, even allowing you the option to watch.

Once Dr. Schillinger has designed your restoration, we send the design digitally to the CEREC Milling Unit.

Step 2 – The CEREC Milling Unit

We start with a ceramic block matching the targeted tooth's shade. The machine then uses the 3D design from the Acquisition Unit to direct two diamond-coated burs that carve the block into your new dental crown. This process takes less than 20 minutes in most cases. After we complete the milling process, we polish your finished crown so it sparkles like a natural tooth. Next, Dr. Schillinger will ensure its fit is correct, and then he bonds it into place, all in one visit.

The Innovation Dental Group team understands that many people feel hesitation about visiting their dentist. Because we never want dental anxiety to be a barrier to care, we offer several forms of sedation. To decide which options are appropriate for you, Dr. Schillinger considers your medical history so that we can keep you safe during treatments.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is a non-irritating, colorless gas that works as you inhale it. This compound has been a primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. Nitrous oxide is safe when administered by our dental professionals, where the sedative gas is mixed with oxygen. You breathe it in through a comfortable nosepiece, and you may experience a disconnected feeling, even falling asleep without much memory of your treatment procedures.

The advantages when using nitrous oxide are:

• We can adjust your sedation level
• Minimal side-effects
• Very effective in minimizing gagging
• Few after-effects, with many patients returning to work or school afterward

Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)

For more extreme cases, we offer intravenous (IV) sedation, or “twilight sedation,” for their dental treatment. We are unique in providing this option compared to many other dental offices in the O'Fallon area.

Intravenous sedation, or “twilight sleep,” helps you to remain comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. It is designed to make you very relaxed and not remember those procedures that may be very uncomfortable for you. IV sedation will essentially help alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment. You may not always be asleep, drifting in and out of sleep – a “twilight sleep,” but you will remain comfortable, calm, and relaxed.

We use an intraoral scanner to provide digital impressions of your mouth and teeth. This technology produces 3-D imaging, which is more accurate than the impression material and cumbersome trays that are often unpleasant for patients.

Intraoral scanning creates a complete impression of your mouth that we may immediately load into specialized computer software. We can view your teeth, manipulate the view, and share it with you and other providers.